For many of us in Europe and the US, there is nothing public about these amenities, and they have become a sort of a grey zone in building design.

In a massive effort to make them inconspicuous, they have been standardized, buried in underground bunkers, and hidden behind blind walls.

At times, public toilets have been so outlawed in our minds that in certain spots in the world, embarrassment with their mere existence seems to have led to the inability to provide sound sanitation. Or could it be the other way around--has avoiding them resulted from intolerable hygiene conditions?

People around the globe and throughout history have developed their unique perception, level of open-mindedness, fair share of humour and own terminology for public lavatories.

Whether it's the "restroom," the 'loo," the "WC," or the "house number 00," it is a fact worth noting that these small public amenities are a challenging opportunity for inspiring design.

Openbuildings.com has compiled a list of public bathrooms that make using them a little more pleasant.